Jim Harbaugh said he will name a starting quarterback “at some point” but did not do so Wednesday morning on his KNBR 680-AM radio segment.

Harbaugh did anticipate incumbent starter Alex Smith to get cleared this week from a Nov. 11 concussion. Said Harbaugh: “It looks like he will be before the week’s out, but he’s not as of right now. I’m sure he will be.”

Team doctors declared Smith unavailable for Monday night’s 32-7 win over the Chicago Bears. Colin Kaepernick, in place of Smith, threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns to win his first career start.

“It’s the opposite of a controversy. We’ve got two good guys,” Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh’s radio interview were his first comments since immediately after Monday night’s win, when he declared that he’ll ride the quarterback with the “hot hand” and that both Smith and Kaepernick possess that quality.

Harbaugh did not speak with the media Tuesday, cancelling a conference call while undergoing a follow-up evaluation for last Thursday’s procedure on his irregular heartbeat. Harbaugh is slated to meet with the media at 49ers headquarters at noon Wednesday.

“Doing good. I think we got that part of it licked,” Harbaugh said of his health. “Certainly beating the Bears on Monday night, a great team effort, helped do that.”

Cam Inman

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Vintage Harbaugh. Keep ’em guessing, dilute their prep time (2QB’s for 1 game). He’s just a good coach doing what he does. Controversy? That’s just for pundits to fill their copy with.

Ninerdawg

I hope Alex Smith a speedy recovery, but I hope Kap gets the nod. Kap has something Smith does not possess, and cannot be coached, INSTINCTS!!!

snsf49loyal

Anytime a team has a QB controversy, in my opinion is a good thing. IMHO – (pending health) Alex Smith should be the starting QB. However, with a short leash. If Alex is not doing good, we always have the insurance called Kaepernick. Alex has more experience than Kaep for sure!

fvamxg

#1 a step further:
INTANGIBLES.

Monkay

The smart way to develop a young QB is to use him in situations where he has a good likelihood of success (refer to the way Walsh eased Montana into the starter’s role). Just because Kaep had a wonderfully successful outing when forced into starting due to injury, it would still be preferable to continue to ease him in. Leave him with that good taste in his mouth rather than tossing him into a start in a loud inhospitable environment. That is, if it’s avoidable. If he were to have a subpar outing it might destroy the confident head space he’s in right now. If Alex can go he should be the starter for now.